THUNDER BAY — Local enthusiasts of one of North America's fastest-growing sports are enjoying a new facility at Boulevard Lake.
Recognizing the growing popularity of pickleball – especially among seniors – the City of Thunder Bay included four courts exclusively for the sport when it rebuilt the tennis facility across from St. Ignatius High School.
Pickleball combines aspects of tennis, badminton and ping pong.
This is the first time the city has developed pickleball-only courts.
They've already had good use since they opened on Saturday.
The project cost about $350,000, and includes new tennis courts.
The Boulevard Lake site had poor drainage, causing the asphalt surface to deteriorate so much that tennis players were staying away.
Pickleball is also played on local tennis courts, by setting up portable nets.
Werner Schwar, supervisor of Parks & Open Space Planning for the city, says the city will consider building more pickleball facilities as it rehabilitates other tennis facilities in future years.
